GNOC-funded Gambian athletes impress at African Senior Athletics Championship in Ghana

By Muhammed L. Saidykhan

Banjul The Gambia, May 23, 2026 – Gambian athletes have returned from the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, after delivering impressive performances against some of the continent’s top track and field stars.

The championship, fully funded by the Gambia National Olympic Committee, saw the country’s athletes compete with determination and resilience on the African stage.

Leading the Gambian charge was Commonwealth Games-bound sprinter Nyimasata Jawneh, who produced another outstanding performance by finishing 4th in the Women’s 200m Final with a time of 23.67 seconds. Jawneh narrowly missed out on a podium finish but once again proved her quality among Africa’s elite sprinters.

She also competed in the Women’s 100m event, clocking 11.80 seconds, though the time was not enough to secure qualification for the final.

Another Gambian sprinter heading for the Commonwealth Games, Isatou Sey, also showcased her talent during the competition. Sey recorded an impressive 11.85 seconds in the Women’s 100m semifinals but narrowly missed qualification for the final. In the Women’s 200m, she suffered disappointment after being disqualified for a false start despite showing great promise during the earlier rounds.

Young athlete Sainey Kijera made a commendable debut appearance at the championships, recording a time of 57.62 seconds in the Women’s 400m heats. Although she did not progress to the next stage, her performance highlighted her growing potential for future competitions.

In the men’s category, Ansu Badgie also represented The Gambia in the Men’s 200m event, recording a time of 23.00 seconds during the competition.

Meanwhile, The Gambia Women’s 4x100m relay team secured a 6th-place finish in the final with a time of 45.02 seconds, ending the championship on a positive note for Team Gambia.

The Gambia National Olympic Committee played a significant role in the team’s participation, providing more than half a million dalasis to the Gambia Athletics Association to fully support the trip and preparations for the championships.

The performances in Accra are seen as a positive step forward for Gambian athletics as the country continues preparations for upcoming international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games.